Manchester United to lodge official complaint with PGMOL amid club fury over officiating

Mar 21, 2026 - 12:45

Manchester United will make a formal complaint to the PGMOL over what they consider to be a pattern of bad officiating, talkSPORT understands.

It comes after the decision by referee Stuart Atwell not to award the Red Devils a second penalty in Friday’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Man United players argue with Stuart Atwell — Red Devils officials have called the performance of Stuart Atwell and VAR into question

In a match that saw each side awarded a spot-kick, United were aggrieved that they were not handed a second opportunity from 12 yards for a challenge on Amad Diallo when they were 1-0 up.

The winger raced into the penalty box and went to ground after Bournemouth defender Adrien Truffert appeared to place both hands on him.

Manchester United officials believe Diallo was wrestled to the ground with no attempt to play the ball.

Bournemouth raced up the other end and scored through Ryan Christie, meaning that rather than getting the chance to double their lead, the visitors had it cancelled out instead.

United felt the incident was similar to an earlier challenge from Harry Maguire on Evanilson which saw Bournemouth awarded a penalty, before the defender was subsequently dismissed.

⁠Club officials have been left furious at what they consider to be another costly VAR error – and plan to argue that similar penalty incidents were treated differently within the same game.

There is the further blow of losing the suspended Maguire for their next Premier League game at home to Leeds on April 13.

talkSPORT understands club chiefs are also set to question the amount of added time allowed in Friday night’s clash.

They were left baffled by the decision to add an extra nine minutes for stoppages – something they believe has been an ongoing theme across the season.

Senior figures at the club will also make reference to other errors they believe to have been made at United’s expense across the season.

Casemiro argues with Stuart Atwell — The United hierarchy believe a number of errors have been made at their expense beyond the Bournemouth match

That includes the non-awarding of a red card against Brentford, the denial of a penalty against Wolves and a goal incorrectly disallowed by Atwell in the match against Burnley.

Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick said he was astonished that his side were not awarded the penalty in his post-match interview.

“For him (Atwell) to give one penalty and not the other… I find it crazy,” he said. “I cannot understand it. Mental. It’s astonishing. One of them must be wrong.

“A big opportunity to go 2-0 up and we get one penalty and not the other. It’s exactly the same thing really – a two-handed grab.

“He’s got one wrong so, I don’t know which one but he doesn’t give us the second one.”

Carrick’s fury is one shared by senior figures at Manchester United.

United Director of Football Jason Wilcox at Wembley — Jason Wilcox is planning to address the club’s concerns with PGMOL chief Howard Webb on Saturday

The club’s director of football Jason Wilcox is expected to discuss the grievances with PGMOL chief Howard Webb on Saturday.

The draw at the Vitality Stadium saw United miss the chance to put daylight between them and the chasing pack vying for Champions League qualification.

Carrick’s side sit a provisional four points ahead of fourth-placed Aston Villa, with European hopefuls Liverpool and Chelsea looking to close the gap on Saturday.